Opposition slams Vinay Katiyar on Chalisa controversy

Congress leader Raj Babbar on Wednesday slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Vinay Katiyar for supporting the youth for reciting 'Shiv Chalisa' inside the premises of the Taj Mahal, and said this is cheapness.

"BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), Bajrang Dal, RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), their work is to say something to get in limelight. I think this is cheapness. I have only one answer to this, that those people are not in a good condition as when we talk about Jay Shah they talk about Shah Jahan," said Babbar.

Katiyar's statement comes a day after the youth, belonging to the Rashtra Swabhimaan Dal (RSD) and the Hindu Yuva Vahini (HYV), were caught reciting 'Shiv Chalisa' inside the premises of the Taj Mahal, causing tension at the iconic monument, which, they claimed, was originally a Shiv Temple.

The youth were nabbed by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel and released after they submitted a written apology.

While speaking to ANI, Katiyar said, "The youth, who read 'Shiv Chalisa' inside the premises of the Taj Mahal, should not be condemned. Because it was once a Shiv Temple and a 'Shivaling' was also built, which was later removed. There are many other signs that show that few parts of the Mughal mausoleum is a Hindu Temple."

Commenting over Katiyar's statement, senior leader of Congress, P.L Punia said, "I do not think there is any need to think more on what Vinay Katiyar said. Taj Mahal is not only our identity in India, but all around the world. India is proud of Taj Mahal. There is no need to interfere with its name."

This incident comes a week after BJP leader Sangeet Som questioned the Taj Mahal's place in history, saying that the iconic monument was built by 'traitors' who targeted the Hindus. His comments caused a political stir across the country, following which the BJP governments in Uttar Pradesh and the Centre distanced themselves from the leader's comments.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is all set to visit Taj Mahal on October 26 to review various schemes related to tourism in Agra.

-ANI